Main Point and Overview:
There is a dearth of leadership in God’s church! Why is that? It’s because not enough “investment” is taking place. By definition, investment is an act of devoting time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result (Oxford Languages). The American church is filled with consumers over producers. We tend to come and “take in” from a preacher, worship leader, small group leader, coffee barista, welcome center attendant, and so much more. We sit and soak and leave. Little to no investment is made into the lives of others. As a result, the church is not producing enough influential leaders. There is a lack of young people seeking vocational ministry. There is a lack of influencers in communities. There is a lack of reproduction of grace and truth in the lives of others. The result is minimal or stagnated impact. The Apostle Paul shows us how to reverse this curse. His model of reproduction is best illustrated in “what” he invested in the life of a man named Timothy. This young man was a new believer in Jesus, and Paul made sure that his growth was not stagnated. He took him with him on his next missionary journey, and the rest is history. Timothy grew into an influential leader in the church, producing himself in others as Paul did in him. The final healthy characteristic that we are going to focus on is reproduction. You were meant to leave a legacy. When you’re gone, will the values and beliefs that you held dear to your heart continue on through other people? It will only take place through intentional investment. So, who are you presently investing in right now? Who will continue what you have started? Our prayer is that Emmanuel will be a powerful influence in our community long after our present leaders are gone. The only way that is going to be possible is through intentional investment in the present.
There is a dearth of leadership in God’s church! Why is that? It’s because not enough “investment” is taking place. By definition, investment is an act of devoting time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result (Oxford Languages). The American church is filled with consumers over producers. We tend to come and “take in” from a preacher, worship leader, small group leader, coffee barista, welcome center attendant, and so much more. We sit and soak and leave. Little to no investment is made into the lives of others. As a result, the church is not producing enough influential leaders. There is a lack of young people seeking vocational ministry. There is a lack of influencers in communities. There is a lack of reproduction of grace and truth in the lives of others. The result is minimal or stagnated impact. The Apostle Paul shows us how to reverse this curse. His model of reproduction is best illustrated in “what” he invested in the life of a man named Timothy. This young man was a new believer in Jesus, and Paul made sure that his growth was not stagnated. He took him with him on his next missionary journey, and the rest is history. Timothy grew into an influential leader in the church, producing himself in others as Paul did in him. The final healthy characteristic that we are going to focus on is reproduction. You were meant to leave a legacy. When you’re gone, will the values and beliefs that you held dear to your heart continue on through other people? It will only take place through intentional investment. So, who are you presently investing in right now? Who will continue what you have started? Our prayer is that Emmanuel will be a powerful influence in our community long after our present leaders are gone. The only way that is going to be possible is through intentional investment in the present.
Posted in Devotional